Paddle vs Recurly
Updated June 2026 · A structured head-to-head comparison.
The verdict
Both Paddle and Recurly are credible subscription billing tools, and the right pick comes down to your priorities.
Paddle — Merchant of record for SaaS.
Choose Recurly if you'd rather have a lower starting price (from $249/mo). Subscription management and recurring billing.
Paddle vs Recurly: side by side
| Dimension | Paddle | Recurly |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Custom | From $249/moWinner |
| Free plan | No | No |
| Pricing model | Usage-based | Subscription |
| Best for | Saas, Indie Makers | Subscription Businesses |
| Platforms | Web, Api | Web, Api |
| Rating | 4.4/5 | 4.3/5 |
Paddle key facts
- Vendor
- Paddle
- Pricing
- Usage-based — Custom
- Free tier
- No
- Platforms
- Web, Api
- Best for
- Saas, Indie Makers
- Editor rating
- 4.4 / 5
- Founded
- 2012
- Headquarters
- London, UK
Recurly key facts
- Vendor
- Recurly
- Pricing
- Subscription — From $249/mo
- Free tier
- No
- Platforms
- Web, Api
- Best for
- Subscription Businesses
- Editor rating
- 4.3 / 5
- Founded
- 2009
- Headquarters
- San Francisco, CA, USA
Frequently asked questions
Is Paddle better than Recurly?
Neither is universally better — Paddle edges ahead on overall rating, but the best choice depends on price, platforms, and your use case. See the side-by-side table above.
Is Paddle or Recurly cheaper?
Recurly is the more affordable of the two to get started, at from $249/mo. Paddle starts at custom; Recurly starts at from $249/mo.
Can Paddle replace Recurly?
Yes for most teams — both are subscription billing tools with heavily overlapping features. The main trade-offs are pricing and platform support, covered in the comparison above.